Household hunger is already severe, and rising disease incidence could lead to worsening acute malnutrition levels. The risk of transmission is very high in six additional counties in Unity. Poor macroeconomic conditions also exacerbate low access to food.Ī cholera outbreak is occurring in Rubkona county in Unity state. Recurrent, extensive floods since 2019 have further eroded household food and income sources.
Political and intercommunal conflict continues to disrupt livelihoods, trade, and humanitarian access. Critical levels of acute malnutrition are already widespread, Extremely Critical levels are present in several areas, and there is an increasing concern for hunger-related mortality. The 2022 gu/long rains is turning into one of the driest seasons on record.
A forecast of a fourth below-average season in early 2022 raises the likelihood of severe impacts on food availability and access. Since November 2020, conflict and insecurity in northern Ethiopia have driven large-scale displacement, significantly disrupted poor households’ engagement in livelihood activities, and limited humanitarian access, with the impacts most stark in Tigray.ĭespite humanitarian resources reaching Tigray, food aid distributions are still not sufficient to meet the need with only 27 percent of the 6.3 million people caseload between mid-October and May 18.Ī third consecutive below-average rainfall season in late 2021 led to significant crop and livestock losses, alongside water shortages and sharply rising staple food prices.